Reconcera, a modern metal band with spiritual influences hailing from Saint Charles, Missouri, seems to have a lot going for them these days. They’ve got some tight promo pictures, thousands of views on YouTube and some of the coolest EP art I’ve seen from an independent band. Of course, we all want to believe that image isn’t everything these days, so I decided to sit down and actually check out the band’s debut self-titled EP just to make sure there was some great music to pair with the faces. Thankfully, I was not disappointed.

Released on October 10th of this year, this self-titled EP wonderfully combines the old conventions of the oft-overlooked beginnings of metal with the genre’s modern influences of breakdowns and synth. One thing that Reconcera does especially well that a lot of current heavy bands seem to forget about is what used to make older metal so awesome: the speed. First full track, “Let This Be Your Voice”, comes flying out of the gate with some extremely tight riffing, reminding all of us why we started listening to metal in the first place. Additionally, following the intensely heavy breakdown in album closer, “Seconds Into Hours”, there is an impressive section of fast chord changes and palm-muting, reminiscent of Metallica, and honestly, it hits even harder than the preceding breakdown.

So Reconcera definitely knows how to kill it, but what really sets them apart from the rest? Take a listen to the short album introduction, “Road To Nowhere” and you’ll quickly have your answer. After an eerie 30 seconds of silence, some piano starts to fade in, and you know that something huge is about to happen. It’s rare that an effects-driven intro can get me this excited to hear the album, but Reconcera’s opening succeeds with ease in preparing you for the insanity.

Every single track on Reconcera’s self-titled debut is an admirable addition to the world of modern metal, and the EP never slows down. The lightning speed of “Out of the Darkness” is sure to make it a late album favorite, and it will probably serve well as the album’s second single, following the heavy monster that is “Captivity and Struggle”. Even if spirituality isn’t your thing, Reconcera doesn’t throw it in your face and is very respectful of everyone’s different beliefs in their lyrics, so there's very little not to like on the album.

Let’s take a look at the checklist, shall we? Good musicianship? Check. Cool art? Check. A bunch of amazing tracks sure to please potential fans from Hear This! Promotions? Well, we sure think so, but why don't you be the judge of that and check 'em out now!